Disraeli, Benjamin (1804-1881)

Cartoon from Punch in 1872 depicting Disraeli (front) and Gladstone as two opposing lions making speeches in Lancashire.

British prime minister Benjamin Disraeli. In office during the 19th century, Disraeli secured for Britain a controlling interest in the Suez Canal. His charm made him a favourite of Queen Victoria, on whom he conferred the title of Empress of India in 1876. A skilful diplomat, he achieved a ‘peace with honour’ at the Congress of Berlin (1878), which contributed to the preservation of European stability, after the Russian conflict with the Turks in the Balkans.

British Conservative politician and novelist. Elected to Parliament in 1837, he was chancellor of the Exchequer under Lord Derby in 1852, 1858-59, and 1866-68, and prime minister in 1868 and 1874-80. His imperialist policies brought India directly under the crown, and he was personally responsible for purchasing control of the Suez Canal. The central Conservative Party organization is his creation. His popular, political novels reflect an interest in social reform and include Coningsby (1844) and Sybil (1845).

Entering Parliament in 1837 after four unsuccessful attempts, he was laughed at as a dandy; when his maiden speech was shouted down, he said: ‘The time will come when you will hear me.’ Excluded from Peel's government of 1841-46, Disraeli formed his Young England group to keep a critical eye on Peel's Conservatism and gradually came to be recognized as the leader of the Conservative Party in the Commons. During the next 20 years the Conservatives formed short-lived minority governments in 1852, 1858-59, and 1866-68, with Lord Derby as prime minister and Disraeli as chancellor of the Exchequer and leader of the Commons. On Lord Derby's retirement in 1868 Disraeli became prime minister, but a few months later he was defeated by William Gladstone in a general election. In 1874 Disraeli took office for the second time. Some useful reform measures were carried, but the outstanding feature of the government's policy was its imperialism: Disraeli purchased from the Khedive of Egypt a controlling interest in the Suez Canal; conferred on the Queen the title of Empress of India; and sent the Prince of Wales on the first royal tour of that country.